A Valentine for the GOP

Today comes an article I’m certain Politico didn’t want to write, had heartburn while writing, and is busily gulping antacid to get over. It reports the results of a Politico/Morning Consult poll.

Republicans have erased the Democratic advantage on the generic congressional ballot in a new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll that, for the first time since April, also shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating equaling the percentage of voters who disapprove of his job performance.

Fully 39 percent of registered voters say they would support the GOP candidate for Congress in their district, while 38 percent would back the Democratic candidate.

The new year has also produced a Trump polling bump. In the new poll, 47 percent of voters approve of the job Trump is doing as president, while the same percentage disapprove.

The new figures represent an improvement in GOP approval and a diminution of Dem approval. Trend lines have been edging upward for some weeks, in a variety of polls.

From the viewpoint of COTTonLINE regulars, this is good news. February’s paychecks with reduced tax withholding seem to have made an impression. I also credit the President’s strong SOTU performance and the Democrat attendees’ sour display. Even the Olympics plays a role, giving all Americans a chance to cheer together for Team USA.